China calls for continued democratic consultation in UN Security Council

A Chinese envoy said Thursday that the UN Security Council should continue to have democratic consultations and collective decision-making in its working methods.

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks at an open debate of the UN Security Council on its working methods.

"China supports continuing improvement of the working methods of the council, so it can conduct its work more fairly, efficiently and in a transparent manner to be able to respond to the expectations of the international community and play a better role in maintaining international peace and stability," said Wang.

Wang said all council members should have ample time for studying draft resolutions and presidential statements and through patient consultations and negotiations reach wide consensus and maintain solidarity of the council.

"The more complex and urgent the crises and challenges are, the greater the need for the council members to be united in purpose and efforts and to cooperate in fully reflecting the principles of justice and democracy," he said.

Wang also noted that the council should focus on priorities and coordinate through division of labor and other UN bodies.

"All UN bodies should fulfill their respective mandate and under the Charter, the council should focus its energy and resources on addressing the most urgent issues threatening the international peace and stability," said Wang.

Highlighting the council's role as important in peaceful resolution of disputes, Wang said the council should make an integrated use of the tools of prevention and mediation to promote actively political dialogues, and through consultations and negotiations, promote reconciliation to achieve lasting peace and stability and safeguard international peace and security.

Under the UN Charter, the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Whenever a threat to the peace or an act of aggression comes into being, it should call upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement.